The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Thursday suffered slight setback as one of its senators, Joshua Dariye, announced his defection to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Dariye, a former governor of Plateau state who represents Plateau Central Senatorial District announced his defection in a letter read by President of the Senate, Dr Bukola Saraki, at the end of plenary.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Thursday defection by Dariye was the second time he was dumping the PDP.
In 2011, he defected from the party to Labour Party, where he contested the senatorial election.
But, in 2014, the former governor returned to the PDP, and had explained that his decision to rejoin the party was because he was a founding member.
He assured of his “loyalty’’ to the PDP at all times.
In his latest defection letter, he said, “after due consultations with my constituency, I write to notify you of my intention to cross over from the PDP to the APC.
“My decision is informed by the protracted division at the national level of the PDP that led to the massive movement of my supporters to the APC.
“Arising from this, I therefore write to formally inform you of my decision to go along with my supporters. I thank you for your understanding.’’
Fielding questions from newsmen, Dariye said that his decision to dump the PDP was informed by the crack in the party.
He added that most of his constituents had defected to the ruling APC and that he wanted to be with his constituents for effective representation.
“My people in the PDP have moved to the APC and there is no need to remain alone,” he said.
Dariye, who chairs the Senate Committee on Public Procurement, reiterated his commitment to serve the people of his constituency.
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